The State’s hopes of witnessing for the first time the splendour of Formula One cars will get a big boost when the country’s premier F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan visits Thiruvananthapuram city by the end of this month. The visit is likely to happen on June 29.

Sources close to Narain said that the visit to Thiruvananthapuram will be the first major event in his itinerary after his return from European GP in Valencia.

Jose Pottakulam, team principal of M&N Racing and a friend of Narain, confirmed the reports that Narain would be here soon. “Valencia Grand Prix will be over on June 24 and Narain would be back in the country on June 26. I expect him to be in the city on June 29 to carry out a track inspection. A meeting with the Chief Minister is also scheduled on that day,” he said.

Narain will walk through the ‘racing track’ from Kowdiar to Palayam to assess its condition. He will take note of the corners, curves and angles of the road and then would decide at what speed he should drive. Narain will be driving his Hispania RT race car. Jose Pottakulam will also hit the road in his race car.

“Narain is extremely eager to drive in front of his fans in Thiruvananthapuram. The State is yet to gauge the future of motor sports. Racing is underrated here. So, the demo drive is also expected to provide a momentum to motor sports in the State,” Jose added.

The demo drive would be held on August 26, in connection with the Onam celebrations organised by the Tourism Department.

Narain, during his brief visit this month, will also meet Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar. It is also learnt that Narain would be selected as a promoter for tourism in the State.